Now its my turn for help

[lisavet]

i have been on these web sites so much - i am going insane. My daughter is 6 and son is 10. I get tuned out all the time so dont feel bad. No epcot for us - just the fun rides. So I am hitting MGM - Aminal and Magic. Maybe MGM Thursday when we get in - Friday - Magic and Sat - Animal. Sunday will be a do whatever day - maybe hit what we liked the most. Monday home sometime. I forgot about transportation from the airport to Pop Century and from Pop century to the Airport - any suggestions?

Lisa

 

[jcemom]

Those are the days I would choose for each park. AK closes at 5:00 (you'll probably be done before then anyway) so you may want to hop over to MK that night for Spectro Magic and Wishes, or back to MGM. There's also the downtown disney marketplace if you'd like to just walk around or do some shopping. They have a Lego section with giant lego creations and a play area that my 9 year old is looking forward to (of course he LOVES Legos).

Sunday is Extra Magic Hour for the MK, so if you feel like getting up early you may want to hit that for riding the "Mountains" a few more times.

I've never used transportation from the airport either, sorry. We've always had a car. Check the transportation board, though because they are always posting about it over there. http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=16

We're supposed to have a high of something like 28 degrees tomorrow...Florida here I come! (It can't get here soon enough!)

 

[lisavet]

my emails are not going through - i am trying

 

[lisavet]

well looks like i got a plan going - as for a rental - we are not sure if we want one since we do not know our way around and would have to pay to park everywhere. hopefully the shuttle thing will work out if we go that way. the cold weather here in the burgh is terrible - i hate winter. I love summer and spring. Come over and help me work on the plans for building a new home - i could use the help and you seem to be a good helper.

 

[jcemom]

As long as you're staying in a Disney Resort hotel (and you are) there is no charge for parking at any of the parks. A car would also give you the option of eating off site. But, it is one more thing to plan for. I would think you could get a rental for somewhere around $100-150

A shuttle from the airport to Disney would cost about $96 for your family (Mears). http://www.mousesavers.com/shuttle.html#wdw

You could also use a towncar service for around $115 plus tip. http://www.mousesavers.com/limo.html

Looks like roughly the same amount of money no matter how you go, so I guess it would be whatever you prefer. (The rental may cost a bit more, but then may save a bit on food.)

i could use the help and you seem to be a good helper

I change my mind WAY too often -- just ask the folks at Disney Dining! (where you call to make Priority Seating "reservations" for sit-down meals, in case you didn't know.)

 

[shelleyz]

We only used Disney buses when we went in October. We didn't have any trouble with the disney transportation. We didn't rent a car cause we just didnt want to have to bother with a car. We used Cartier TownCar from the airport to our hotel and then from our hotel to the airport. We had no problems with them either. They include a grocery stop if you need to pick up some snacks and drinks. We have them booked again for our trip this month. It's $85 roundtrip, plus tip.

 

[lisavet]

shelly - how would i go about booking them for my feb trip - good info - thanks a bunch.

 

[shelleyz]

There website is http://www.cartiertowncar.com/
Check out the site and see what you think. All Disney hotels are $90 but if you book online you get $5 off. If you decide to go with them click on the reservations and fill in your info. They will email you back with a confirmation. They will meet you in baggage claim of the airline you are using. Anymore questions, ask away and I'll try and help.

 

[lisavet]

thanks i will go online and check it out now. I am staying in the Pop Century - got a good deal I think anyways for 4 nites at $388. I have not been there since i was a kid so I am winging all of this and praying it all works out.

 

[snyderla]

WOW, Lisa!! You're getting a lot of really good tips here! I think you got a really good deal. I don't think you would need a rental car, personally. I usually drive down, but we park our car, unload it, and don't go back to it again until the day we leave!! Disney transportation can't be beat. I've used it almost every trip and it's so nice not to have to worry about parking or even worse, getting out of the parking lot at closing time...flashing back to the 1 time we didn't use it, stayed offsite on New Year's Eve...2 1/2 hrs just to get out of the parking lot! But I digress...Since you have a 4 day Park Hopper, the only suggestion I have is to try EPCOT, maybe the day you go to AK, since it closes early. Illuminations is the wonderful! It's a fireworks show, with a twist! It begins at 9PM at the World Showcase lagoon. There are also a couple of great thrill rides, I notice you like those! Mission Space and Test Track. And there is a neat 3D Movie show, about 15 minutes long, called Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. I'm not sure why you didn't mention wanting to go there, but alot of people think it's just a big science class or something. There are learning opportunities, but more, too. Just an idea. You might want to check out some info sites about the parks to get an idea of what each has to offer. Maybe go check out the park maps site at disneyworld.com?

You will have a wonderful time! Just don't try to do everything, relax and enjoy!!!

Lori

 

[lisavet]

Lori thanks - yes i went to epcot as a kid and remember it as a learning experience and my kids have enough of that at school but if there are thrilling things to do - i most certainly will. What time do they close? I am going to use the town car service and not worry about a rental car and just rely on the wdw transportation and hope it all works out. This has been a learning experience and i am sure there is way more to learn about wdw. We want to hit all the good rides - do you have a list in your head?::::

 

[LoriMistress]

I would suggest staying at an All-Star Resort. It's affordable, has good facilities, and its located on the parks. I would suggest buying your airfar through the airlines website (sometimes you can get them much cheaper than from expedia.com, or other sites). I would suggest bringing some food with you for your trip (bring cereal, milk, bottled water, snacks), with you. For $10 a day you can get a refridgerator and you can store your food. It's much easier and cheaper. You can have breakfest while everyone gets ready, and bringing bottled water and snacks to the parks helps a lot. Drinks starting off cost $2.50. Believe me, you'll be saving lots of money by bringing bottled waters.

For other tips, I would suggest going to other websites, message boards, etc. and they can help you out as well.

 

[jcemom]

Hey Lisa! I'm pretty sure (if I'm remembering correctly) that Test Track, Mission Space, and Honey I Shrunk the Audience are all open until 9:00pm. I'm not sure what the lines will be like at that time of year late in the day. Maybe someone else can chime in and let us know!!!

 

[lisavet]

thanks to all for all your input on WDW - you all have been great to chat with. As we all know when we go it will be a blast. I feel comfortable with all my arrangements so now it is just time to have fun with it. Again thanks so much....

 

[nigel-bigel]

Well, I know I'm coming along after you'r plans are already made, but here's my .02, anyway.

I would look into changing your ressies to a moderate resort. it would only cost you around $50/night more, and you would get a more service-oriented resort with some very cool pools. Then again, I don't know how much time you'll have for the pools.

Another benefit of the Moderates is that they have full-service restaurants on the property (except Port Orleans French Quarter), not just food courts.

Also, since you are more interested in thrill rides than the whole Disney Magic thing, I would skip Animal Kingdom all together and go to Universal or Islands of Adventure for the day instead. AK has some great attractions, but not too many of them are thrilling, and the ones that are supposed to be thrilling are pretty lame Triceritops Spin? Primevil Whirl? Blech.

Over at Universal/IOA you will find much more of what you are looking for.

You will have a great time, whatever you decide!

Nicole

 

[lisavet]

thanks nicole - i will look into that - i was looking for food type courts to eat at a moderate price and not pay $20 for a hamburger, if you catch my drift. i like the contemporary though. the monorail thing seems cool. as for rides yes we all love the thrill rides, isnt the dinosaur ride in animal kingdom any good?

 

[nigel-bigel]

I don't know the cost of the food at the Moderate restaurants, but I doubt a burger is $20. That's high, even for Disney! But I do know what you mean. On the other hand, at the end of a long day touring the parks, sometimes you just want someone ELSE to find you a table and someone ELSE to bring you your food, ya know?

I have never been on Dinosaur, and I avoid all rides where you get wet (Who wants to get wet in street clothes?). My second all-time favorite attraction is at Animal Kingdom - the Legend of the Lion King. But, it is a show....

Anyway, Animal Kingdom is a small park to begin with, we usually do it when we only have about a half a day to spend in a park, and we still see all we want.

You have a limited amount of time... I would be pretty disappointed if I had allocated one of my three days to a park with about three "fun" rides and I was done by 3 pm.

The only problem for you going to Universal/MGM is that you need a way to get there.

Oh, my all-time favorite attraction? That would be Rock-n-Roller Coaster at MGM. Wow! What a rush!!

However, do keep in mind that there is so much to enjoy at WDW that doesn't go fast! The first time I went I was skeptical that I would want anything but roller coasters. Boy, was I wrong! It's such a cliche`, but it really is a magical place. For instance, The Great Movie Ride at MGM is slow, but pretty cool. When the slooow moving tram arrives in Oz, it's my favorite part. You are surrounded by Munchkins!! They are so lifelike and all doing their own little thing, it is amazing. You don't miss the speed.

Nicole

 

[lisavet]

well it is a world of adventure - all of it....We will have fun and then continue going back since i am a amusement park type of gal. I was born to ride the thrill rides....

 

[shelleyz]

The Dinosaur ride is a great ride. My husband and I did it in October and will do so again in a few weeks. You will have a great time at Disney. We haven't tried Universal, but maybe someday. I'm addicted to Disney even though I've only been once this past October but hubby and I are already going back in a few weeks without our 3 and 4 year old sons. We want to experience all the bigger rides. I wasnt able to do any (except dinosaur and splash mountain)cause my 2 year old at the time wouldnt leave my side and stay with nana.

 

[jcemom]

Don't forget, she has park hoppers, so when they've finished with Animal Kingdom, they can hop over to another park!